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Springboks call up evergreen utility forward Deon Fourie for All Blacks series

Deon Fourie is in line to play his first Test for the Springboks in nearly three years
Deon Fourie is in line to play his first Test for the Springboks in nearly three yearsGALLO IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

South Africa have recalled 39-year-old ⁠utility forward Deon Fourie for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series ‌against New Zealand, almost three years ‌after he starred in ‌the 12-11 final win at ‌the 2023 Rugby World Cup ‌against the All Blacks.

Fourie, who can cover both hooker ‌and loose-forward, has not ⁠played a ‌Test since coming on early in ​Paris following an injury to Bongi Mbonambi, ​but was excellent for the Stormers in their 38-21 defeat ⁠by ​New Zealand on Friday.

That match was his first back from long-term injury and his work-rate ‌drew praise from Stormers coach John Dobson.

"An incredible performance for a guy who’s again coming back from a serious injury. He’s almost 40. He made three tackles in 15 seconds, and two ‌of them were try-saving," ​Dobson told reporters.

The Springboks play ‌New Zealand in three home Tests starting on August 22 in Johannesburg, with a fourth in Baltimore in ⁠the ⁠United States.